Chapter 8
School started for everyone. The gang were juniors and slammed immediately with work. They were all on the AP class track. Dominick and Peter knew it would help them both knockout some college classes right away. They knew law school would be a beast. They were all hoping to finish up their Bachelors degree in three years.
Kat and Amanda stumbled upon their career choice. Since the boys played baseball, the girls just wanted to be with them. So they started as managers, but as time went on the sports medicine doctor assigned to the team thought the girls had a great touch. They both decided med school was way over their head, but they found a love for physical therapy. It was an awesome thing to know what they wanted to be as 11th graders.
Lucy was taking college classes now. She decided on an elementary level license to teach PreK through 5th. She didn't want to deal with the older kids. Noah, was in the four year old class and rocking it. He was super smart. The teachers had him already working on a kindergarten curriculum. He was Lucy's guinea pig and she taught him a lot.
It was almost Halloween and Noah was so excited. When his costume came in the mail, he ran through the house screaming. "Look!" Everyone was excited for him except Amanda. She had been in a funk lately and everyone could tell. "Amanda, what are you going to be?" Amanda patted his head, "Sorry Noah, nothing I'm not trick or treating this year. I'm too old."
Liv, Alex, and Lucy looked at each other confused. "Liv what's that about?" Liv shrugged, "I don't know, we'll have a talk." The gang always took him out and got candy, even though they were older. People thought it was a sweet gesture.
Dominick dropped by, he often did. Noah ran to him, "Dom! Look! I'm the Incredible Hulk!" Dominick smiled, "Cool dude! The gang still needs to get costumes, so we're ready for candy." Noah was so innocent, but in a stage. If you didn't want it repeated, you better not say it. "Amanda said you aren't going."
Amanda came out and kissed Dominick, "Hey. How did batting practice go?" He smiled, "Great, but can you tape my shoulder." Amanda rolled her eyes, "Hmmm, that's all I'm good for huh? Fixing your injuries?" Everyone was stunned, Amanda had this whole new attitude. Dominick was sweet as ever. He didn't comment back in a smart way, but everyone could tell he was feeling her out. "Of course not babe. That's why I had to have a kiss first."
Dominick figured he would change subject quickly. "Noah's costume is cool huh?" Dominick peeled his shirt off and for a 16 year old kid he was built. Amanda taped him while admiring his chest. Liv saw it, she never hid the sex topic with Amanda. Alex leaned over, "Liv, did you see Amanda's face when Dominick took his shirt off?" Liv shook her head, "Liv, that's all you. Sex is your department. Just report back." She laughed, "Ok, but if I do Amanda, you get Noah. So be ready."
Dominick stayed to eat and help with dishes, then he went home. Alex grabbed her bag, "Ok guys, I'm going back to the office." Alex was in the middle of a huge case, for the last week, she stopped work and came home for dinner. Liv smiled, "My rockstar wife. Love you." Noah hugged her, "Bye mommy!" Amanda kissed her, "Be careful mommy."
Liv headed to take her shower after tucking Noah in bed. She planned on going in and talking to her. She saw Lucy studying. "Night Luce." Lucy smiled, "Night Liv! Oh class is canceled tomorrow, so I'll take Noah so you can sleep in. Liv winked, "You're the best."
After her shower, Liv walked out and was checking her phone when Amanda knocked, "Mama?" Liv turned hearing her soft voice. "Hey! I was coming to see you." Amanda asked if she did something wrong. "No, I just wanted to see how you were doing. Amanda, you're an amazing kid. I just can't help but smile, knowing your mom must be so proud watching you from above." Amanda smiled. Liv and Alex did that a lot, they never let Amanda or Noah forget their parents.
"Mama, can I lay with you in your bed?" Liv smiled, "Of course! Amanda do you remember when you first came here, you slept with us every night?" Amanda got under the covers, "Yeah! I can't believe you never kicked me out. You two must have gone months without…" Amanda stopped and since Liv was holding her, she felt her body tense. "Without what?" Amanda giggled, "Sex." Amanda said it and shut her eyes tight. "Believe me we found a way, you just didn't know." Amanda covered her face, "Gross mama." Liv laughed, "You brought it up."
Amanda looked up, "Kat slept with Peter." Liv looked, "Have you slept with Dominick?" Amanda shook her head no. "Amanda I've always been honest with you about sex. You can always talk to me. Right?" Amanda shook her head, "I'm not ready mama, but I know Peter and Dominick talk. I'm embarrassed and scared. I'm embarrassed because I'm not ready. I'm scared it will hurt. Kat and Peter haven't even liked each other as long as me and Dominick. They are way ahead of us. All we do is kiss. I…I don't know. I have so many feelings. I'm scared Dominick will get tired and leave me."
Liv listened to her get it all out before speaking. "Have you talked to Dominick about how you feel?" Amanda shook her head no. "I don't see him as the type to push you or leave you. If he does either of those things, you deserve better anyway. Amanda, you need to talk to him though. It's what couples do, talk about things." Amanda hugged her tight. "What if we made and appointment and saw a doctor? You can talk about anything you need to. I don't even have to be in the room." Amanda looked at her, "No mama. I'm not afraid to talk to you."
That made Liv's heart smile, "Well when you and Dominick move past kissing and find yourself doing more feeling, please tell me. I would like you on birth control." Amanda smiled, "Mama, that's what condoms are for." Liv grabbed her chin, "Yeah, I know. I would like you using both please." Liv held her and before she realized, Amanda was asleep.
When Alex walked in and saw her bed, "Really Liv!" Liv laughed, "What's wrong? You didn't miss this?" She took her shower and climbed in. "This takes us way back Liv. She's lucky she's cute." Liv explained all the funky attitude lately. They both agreed to show her a little more attention. "Damn Liv, she's a good kid. In high school, we were hanging at college parties. We're so lucky Liv." They both fell asleep.
The next morning, all three of them slept in. By the time Liv woke up, Lucy had dropped Noah off and made it back. "Morning Luce!" Lucy smiled, "Y'all were knocked out, Noah kissed all of you this morning. He was so cute tip toeing in and out. Is she ok?" Liv shook her head, "Yeah, she just needs some extra love and attention. Hey, I'm going to wake her. Do you want to go to breakfast with us?" Lucy jumped up, "Yeah! No way I'm turning that down."
The girls went to breakfast and they got Amanda to school for 3rd period. Dominick grabbed her right before class. "Hey! Are you ok? I've been calling you all night and this morning." Amanda kissed his cheek, he was tense and Dominick was never tense. Everything rolled off his back. "I'm sorry. I fell asleep in my parents bed and woke up late. I didn't realize I didn't have my phone until I was on the way. It's because I wasn't in my room. What's the matter?"
Dominick looked at the time, "The shit hit the fan last night. I'm sure you've missed Kat's calls too. She caught Peter and some older girl hugging in his apartment. We've got to go to class." When they got to class, Peter and Kat were missing. "Where are they Dominick?" Kat never showed today. When I saw Peter this morning I kind of got on his case. I asked him what he was thinking. He left school after ripping me a new one about not having his back or asking his side."
Amanda thought about skipping and going to find them both, but she promised her parents never again. At lunch she called Kat using Dominick's phone. "Hey Kat!" She explained where she slept and not having her phone. "Amanda what if he's cheating. You should've seen him hugging her." Amanda didn't think any of this sounded right. "Kat, did you just run out or why didn't you talk to him."
Amanda was thinking about her own situation. She wasn't even talking to her boyfriend. She needed help and she knew who to call. "Mommy I know you're busy, but I can't reach mama. Can you come get me out of school?" Alex looked at the time, just sitting at her desk. "Amanda, we just dropped you off. She's right here with me, phones in the car. What's wrong?"
Amanda went through the whole story, including not skipping school. "Well we appreciate that. Mama's on the way. I have to stay at work." Liv picked her up and they went to find Peter. Liv didn't take what Amanda said lightly. They promised to always be there for her. Peter and Dominick were the most relaxed kids ever. She wanted to make sure he was ok.
They knocked on the door and sure enough an older girl answered. "Hi, I'm Amanda and this is my mama. Is Peter here?" When they walked in Liv saw pill bottles on the table, a wheelchair, a walker, and a hospital bed set up. She knew something was wrong. "Oh are you here to blame me too?" Amanda sat beside him, "No I'm just here to talk."
Liv took the lead, "Peter, what's all this?" When Peter looked up he had tears in his eyes, "My dad is sick. Stage 4 cancer. We didn't have a single clue. He was tired and thought it was from all the hours. He never stopped, but two weeks ago he passed out at work and found out. His nurse was hugging me. My life is being turned upside down and my best friends think the worst of me."
Liv hugged him, "Baby, I'm so sorry. They messed up, but you did too." Peter looked at her. "You forgot to tell your family that you needed us. Two weeks with this information, all alone. We love you! Dominick loves you. Kat definitely loves, but in a different way or she wouldn't have reacted that way. Tell them and forgive him. We will help you through this Peter."
Peter smiled, "He's in the hospital and he's now stopping the treatments. Doctors said it will only give him a month's difference and he wants to live the rest of his life, not in bed. He's getting out today so his nurse has been here fixing things. Last night I just broke down and she hugged me."
Liv and Amanda took Peter and the nurse to the hospital. When they got there, he looked good. They discharged him and Liv talked all of them into having dinner at their place. "Mr. Stone, it's taco Tuesday, you can't miss it." When they got there, Lucy was busy cooking with Grandma Cabot.
Grandpa and Grandma Cabot started coming every Tuesday. It was family night. Liv gave the introductions. Mr. Stone shook Grandpa Cabot's hand, "You're the man that taught my son to throw that 90 mile an hour fast ball." They started talking up a storm. Amanda talked to Peter and called an emergency gang meeting, "Pool deck now. Everyone better be in attendance." When Amanda talked they listened. "Mama we will be on the deck, text me when dinner is ready."
Mr. Stone looked at the adults, "He doesn't know yet, but he's probably going to have to move. I'm not going to make it until he's 18. He has an aunt in Maine." Liv was thinking, "Oh no. What if we took him. I can talk to Alex." Alex was walking in with Noah, "About what?" Noah saw his grandparents and jumped in their arms, then kissed his mama.
Liv started explaining the situation, "I can't ask you to do that. I'm leaving him money, but money isn't everything. You have Amanda and Noah and let's be honest, this isn't going to be an easy time for him. I'm very worried about his adjustment. He already lost his mom."
Grandpa and Grandma Cabot just listened. They looked at each other and gave a nod. "Well, we were going to announce this at dinner, but we sold our house in Scarsdale. We bought a penthouse here in this building. He walked over to Alex. "I missed so many years with you. I was young, dumb, and flat out stubborn. What if we took Peter? He's a part of their family and ours. I can't get back my time with Alex, but I plan on spending the rest of my life, making sure I'm a part of her family from now on. Family looks after family. We could give Peter attention, love, and even space. I'm sure it would help to live in the same place as 2 of his best friends."
Alex smiled, "Oh dad!" Mr. Stone couldn't say no to that. Liv smiled looking at her family. While Mr. Stone felt up to it, they made a plan about Peter's future and Alex put her lawyer hat on. The gang was a different story. They weren't loving each other, they were arguing. Peter was hurt and had no problems telling them off. Kat felt Amanda betrayed her and didn't take her side. Dominick sat with his head down, he knew he hurt his best friend.
Amanda yelled, "Everyone shut the fuck up!" They looked up, "Kat are you listening, you were wrong." Kat needed that wake call, she loved Peter and she was embarrassed that she jumped to conclusions. "Peter, I'm so sorry. Can you forgive me." Peter had a scowl on his face, "Of course, my dramatic queen." Peter flashed that grin. Dominick stood up, "Am I forgiven too?" Peter smiled, "Hell yeah!"
They did that ridiculously long crazy handshake, "We know this isn't easy, but we've got you. Never again down this road." Kat grabbed Peter's hand, "Excuse us, while we talk this out on the upper deck." Amanda laughed out, "Talk yeah right!" Kat stuck up her middle finger, "Don't hate Rollins." Amanda rolled her eyes at Kat's nickname for her. She realized she needed to take her own advice.
She sat with her boyfriend, "Dominick, I've been a pain in the butt lately and you've been taking it. Are we ok?" Dominick smiled, "Amanda, we're always ok. You want to tell me what's wrong though." Amanda laid her head back on the cushion of the chair. Her blonde hair fanned out everywhere. Dominick loved everything about her, you could see it in his eyes. "Sex ok!" Dominick raised his eyebrows, "Don't look at me like that. I know you know that they're having sex." She pointed to the upper deck.
Dominick shrugged, "Yeah, but that's not our business. I mean yeah Amanda they are our best friends so of course I know, but why are you upset." Amanda looked at him like he was crazy, "Because we aren't having sex." Dominick was confused, "Amanda, you lost me. We only kiss right now. Do you want to have sex, because you aren't sending off any of those signals. I'm a virgin so, maybe I'm missing something, but my uncle and sister talked to me about you and sex. The way they explained it to me was that I better be a complete and total gentleman or they would kick my ass."
Amanda smiled, because it sounded like Teresa. She loved Dominick like her own. She actually took care of him when he was a baby. "I'm not ready, I don't even know when I will be ready. I'm scared it will hurt and I'm embarrassed that our best friends are ahead of us." Dominick kissed her, this time he slipped her some tongue. "I will wait as long as you want. If you want to wait until our wedding night, I will be right with you."
Amanda looked into his blue eyes. He was so sincere, "Are you saying you're gonna marry me one day?" He shook his head and kissed her again, "I love you Amanda Rollins, always have." Amanda got a text, dinner was ready. "If you spent more time kissing me like that, we might be able to speed it up." They kissed one more time and they both knew they better stop. "Kat! Peter! Put your clothes back on." They laughed all the way back downstairs.
They all ate and enjoyed the time together. After dinner, they sat Peter down and told him everything they discussed. They asked him how he felt about living with Alex's parents. It was a lot of tears, that eventually turned into smiles, and finally before leaving, laughs.
Halloween came and went and of course the gang took Noah out and scored a bunch of candy. By Thanksgiving the Cabot's were fully moved in and Peter was spending Thursday through Monday with them. It was the agreement, to help him adjust to their rules and expectations, plus Mr. Stone was getting sicker.
He was adamant about Peter not taking care of him and seeing him sick like that. They all had a huge Thanksgiving dinner together and it would be the last holiday Peter got to spend with his dad. He died a week later. Everyone supported him in his loss. The rest of the holidays were tough but with everyone surrounding him, he was doing ok.